Skin care · Belltown, Seattle, WA

Dermaplaning Facial

Gentle manual exfoliation for smoother, brighter skin and easier makeup.

Row of styling stations with lit mirrors beside shelves of retail hair products at The Collage Salon in Seattle, WA

Dermaplaning is a gentle manual exfoliation that uses a fine blade to remove dead surface skin and fine facial hair. The Collage Salon offers the Dermaplaning Glow Facial in Belltown, Seattle, with a licensed master esthetician. It is designed to leave skin smoother and brighter, help products absorb and give makeup a smoother base.

Who is a dermaplaning facial for?

Dermaplaning suits you if your skin looks dull, feels rough to the touch or if foundation clings to dry patches and fine facial hair. By clearing away that surface layer, the treatment aims to reveal a smoother, brighter-looking surface. Many people notice that serums and moisturizers seem to sink in more easily afterward.

It is a popular choice before weddings, photos and big events, because there is no peeling stage to work around. It also suits people who want exfoliation without acids or scrubs.

Dermaplaning is not for every skin on every day. If you have active breakouts, a cold sore, sunburn or a flare of a skin condition, your esthetician may suggest waiting or choosing another treatment. Tell her about anything going on with your skin when you book.

What happens at your dermaplaning facial appointment

  • 1. Skin review

    Your esthetician reviews your skin history and checks for anything that means waiting, such as active breakouts or irritation. Tell her about retinoids, acne medication, pregnancy, recent peels or skin conditions. If something needs a medical opinion, she will ask you to check with your doctor first.

  • 2. Cleanse and prep

    Your skin is thoroughly cleansed and completely dried, since the blade works best on a clean, oil-free surface. Your esthetician holds the skin taut in small sections, which keeps the surface smooth and makes each pass more even and comfortable.

  • 3. Dermaplaning

    Using a sterile blade held at a low angle, she makes short, feathery strokes across the face. This lifts dead surface cells and fine facial hair, often called peach fuzz. Most people feel only a light scraping, and many find it surprisingly relaxing.

  • 4. Soothe and protect

    Once your skin is smooth, calming and hydrating products go on to finish the facial, followed by SPF. Your esthetician explains how to care for your skin over the next few days and when a repeat visit might make sense for you.

Will facial hair grow back thicker after dermaplaning?

This is the most common worry, and the answer is no. Dermaplaning removes fine, soft facial hair at the surface, much like shaving, but it does not change the hair's color, thickness or how fast it grows. The hair grows back the same as before. Many people simply find their skin feels softer and makeup sits more smoothly.

Hair that grows back can feel slightly different at first, because the hair has a blunt tip instead of a tapered one. That feeling fades as it grows out. Dermaplaning is designed for fine facial hair. If you have coarser hair growth or a sudden change in facial hair, talk to your doctor, since that is outside what a facial can address.

How should you care for your skin after dermaplaning?

Freshly exfoliated skin is more sensitive, so treat it gently. Wear a broad-spectrum SPF every day and keep sun exposure low, even when Seattle skies are gray. Skip retinoids, acids and scrubs for a few days, and choose a gentle cleanser and a good moisturizer. Hold off on facial waxing and other exfoliating treatments for several days, so your skin has time to settle before anything else is done.

You can usually wear makeup afterward, and many people say it goes on more smoothly than before. Hold off on saunas, hot yoga and swimming pools for the rest of the day. If you notice irritation that does not settle, contact the salon and check with your doctor.

Dermaplaning or a chemical peel: which is right for you?

Both treatments exfoliate, but in different ways. Dermaplaning is manual: it removes surface buildup and fine hair with a blade, with no peeling afterward. A chemical peel uses a customized formula to resurface the skin and is chosen for concerns like breakouts, pigmentation and clarity. Dermaplaning also pairs well with a steady home routine, since smoother skin gives your products a clean surface to work on.

If you want instant smoothness before an event, dermaplaning is the easier fit. If you want to work on deeper concerns over time, ask about a peel. Current pricing is on our service menu. Pick a stylist from our team to meet our licensed master esthetician.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does dermaplaning hurt?

Most people find it comfortable. You feel light, short strokes across your skin, a little like a soft scraping. It should not sting or hurt. If anything feels uncomfortable, tell your esthetician and she will adjust her pressure or stop to check your skin.

How close to an event should I book dermaplaning?

Many people book a few days before an event so their skin has time to settle and any slight pinkness fades. If you have never had dermaplaning, try it well ahead of a big day, so you know how your skin responds before it matters.

Can I get dermaplaning if I have acne?

Dermaplaning is not done over active breakouts, since the blade can irritate inflamed spots. If you have occasional blemishes, your esthetician can work around them. For ongoing or inflamed breakouts, she may suggest a clarifying treatment instead and talk with you about your skin history.

Can I dermaplane at home instead?

Home tools exist, but it is easy to nick the skin, miss areas or exfoliate too often. A licensed esthetician knows how to hold the skin, choose the angle and judge when your skin is not ready. The Glow Facial also includes cleansing and finishing care you would not get at home.

Can I get dermaplaning if I use retinol?

Retinol and prescription retinoids make skin more sensitive, so tell your esthetician what you use. She may ask you to pause it for a few days before your appointment. Never stop a prescribed product without first checking with your doctor.

Glass storefront of The Collage Salon lit up at night in Belltown, Seattle, WA

Book Your Dermaplaning Facial

Want smooth, bright skin and a smoother base for makeup? Book online for the Dermaplaning Glow Facial. You may also like our facials, or pair it with makeup application before an event. Current pricing is on our service menu.

On our service menu: Dermaplaning Glow Facial.

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